Tornado and Tropical Storm in New Jersey, August 27 to 31, 2011

An EF-0 tornado touched down in Robbinsville Township about 3 a.m. EDT on the 28th. The tornado touched down in a Mercer County Park, crossed Perrineville Road and lifted just southwest of Woods Road. Numerous trees were knocked down, along with several electric poles and wires. Damage was concentrated on the 500 block of Perrineville Road. The estimated path length was six tenths of a mile, the maximum path width was thirty yards and the estimated maximum wind speed was 85 mph.

Event rainfall totals included 8.59 inches in Cedar Springs, 7.05 inches in Woodbine, 6.96 inches in Corbin City, 5.51 inches in Upper Township, 5.41 inches in Beesleys Point and 4.90 inches in Stone Harbor.

Residents were evacuated along the Maurice River in Vineland and Millville. The Cohansey River also flooded in the western part of the county. The combination of flooding rains and tropical storm force wind gusts closed fifty roadways in the county.

For the second time within the month, the Maurice River at Norma had major flooding and set the second highest crest on record. The river at the Norma gage was above its 4 foot flood stage from 1115 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 1030 a.m. EDT on September 2nd. It crested at 7.72 feet at 400 p.m. EDT on the 29th.

Event rainfall totals included 7.27 inches in Upper Deerfield Township, 7.09 inches in Bridgeton and 6.51 inches in Greenwich Township.

In Pilesgrove Township, a 20-year-old woman was swept away by flood waters near the Salem River on U.S. Route 40 and drowned while driving her car early on the 28th. The combination of flooding rains and tropical storm force wind gusts closed forty roadways in the county. The collapse of the East Lake Road Dam in Woodstown flooded sections of the borough and Pilesgrove Township. In Pittsgrove Township, both Centerton and Palantine Lakes flooded. Half of Parvin State Park suffered wind and flood damage.

For the second time within the month, the Maurice River at Norma had major flooding and set the second highest crest on record. The river at the Norma gage was above its 4 foot flood stage from 1115 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 1030 a.m. EDT on September 2nd. Event rainfall totals included 7.55 inches in Woodstown.

Flooding along the Mullica and Great Egg Rivers threatened about 100,000 county residents. Flooding forced the evacuation of 102 residents of a senior mobile home development in Buena Vista Township. The English Creek flooded in Egg Harbor Township. Two bridges (one was the Somers Point-Mays Landing Bridge) were damaged by flooding in the county. Eight roadways were closed due to flooding.

For the second time within the same month, the Great Egg Harbor River at Folsom had record breaking major flooding. It was above its 6 foot flood stage from 1005 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 415 a.m. EDT on September 1st. It crested at 8.27 feet at 1115 p.m. EDT on the 29th. Event rainfall totals included 8.76 inches in Estell Manor, 7.75 inches in Egg Harbor Township, 7.53 inches in Buena Vista Township, 7.49 inches in Hammonton, 7.40 inches in Linwood and 7.06 inches in Hamilton Township and 5.88 inches at the Atlantic City International Airport.

The combination of flooding rains and tropical storm force wind gusts closed fifty roadways in Gloucester County. Franklin Township had the greatest number of road closures. In Mullica Hill in Harrison Township, the U.S. Route 322 Bridge was washed out and damaged over Mullica Pond. The Raccoon Creek at Swedesboro had its highest crest on record. The creek was above its 13 foot flood stage from 1137 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 1125 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 18.68 feet at 430 a.m. EDT on the 28th. Event rainfall totals included 7.84 inches in Franklin Township, 6.77 inches in Woolwich Township, 6.48 inches in Mantua Township, 6.46 inches in Mullica Hill, 5.75 inches in Pitman and 4.46 inches in Washington Township.

The Cooper River at Haddonfield had major flooding and its second highest crest on record, second only to July 12, 2004. The river was above its 2.8 foot flood stage from 1034 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 700 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 5.89 feet at 530 a.m. EDT on the 28th. The Big Timber Creek also flooded along the border with Gloucester County. Event rainfall totals included 6.23 inches in Stratford, 4.51 inches in Berlin Township, 4.00 inches in Haddon Heights, and 3.51 inches in Winslow Township.

Record flooding along the North Branch of the Rancocas Creek affected Mount Holly. About 300 families were evacuated. The township municipal building and the county courthouse were flooded. Many downtown roads were flooded. Farther upstream in Eastampton Township, many properties in the Unionville section were also flooded. Farther upstream, the North Pemberton Railroad Station was badly damaged. Along the South Branch of the Rancocas Creek, dozens of homes were flooded in downtown Lumberton Township. In the southeastern part of the county, flooding occurred both the Mullica and Batsto Rivers. Batsto Village was damaged by the flooding along the Batsto River.

The North Branch of the Rancocas Creek at Pemberton had a record breaking major flooding crest of 4.91 feet at 815 a.m. EDT on the 29th. The creek was above its 2.5 foot flood stage from 1145 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 645 p.m. EDT on September 1st. Event rainfall totals included 7.14 inches in Chesterfield Township, 6.67 inches in Mount Laurel Township, 6.66 inches in West Moorestown, 6.37 inches in Hainesport Township and 6.28 inches in Moorestown.

The combination of flooding rains and tropical storm force wind gusts closed thirty-five roadways and about fifteen bridges in Ocean County including parts of New Jersey State Routes 33, 35, 36 and 79 and U.S. Route 9. Plumsted Township was hit hard as flooding divided the township in half as the Crosswicks Creek flooded. Three families were stranded after a roadway was washed away. Neighboring Jackson Township had eight bridges and culverts washed out. In the eastern part of the county, Toms River flooded.

The North Branch of the Metedeconk River at Lakewood had major and record breaking flooding. It was above its 7 foot flood stage from 1120 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 707 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 11.40 feet at 515 p.m. EDT on the 28th. Event rainfall totals included 9.10 inches in Jackson Township, 8.38 inches in Whitesville, 7.33 inches in Brick Township and 7.10 inches in Jackson Township.

A 74-year-old Edison man died of a heart attack on the morning of the 28th after he spent most of the overnight bailing water from his basement. Every municipality in Middlesex County had flooding problems and in addition half the county lost power. Major roadways that were closed due to flooding included U.S, Routes 1 and 130 and New Jersey State Routes 18 and 27. Monroe Township was one of the harder hit townships in Middlesex County as flooding along the Manalapan and Matchaponix Brooks affected 200 homes. Eleven homes were uninhabitable and a Tyndale Avenue home was knocked off its foundation. In Woodbridge, the Woodbridge River flooded. In the Avenel section of the township, the Ideal Mobile Home development was evacuated. In Old Bridge Township, flooding along the South River isolated four blocks in the township and moved two homes off their foundation. In Spotswood Borough, the historical Saint Peter's Episcopal Church was badly damaged

|The main stem of the Raritan River had major flooding and its second highest crest on record only surpassed by the flooding during Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999. The Raritan River at Bound Brook was above its 28 foot flood stage from 310 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 336 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 41.90 feet at 6 p.m. EDT on the 28th. The Bound Brook at Middlesex had a record breaking crest of 13.99 feet at 315 p.m. EDT on the 28th. The brook was above its 9 foot flood stage from 319 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 742 a.m. EDT on the 29th. Event rainfall totals included 9.03 inches in South Plainfield, 8.31 inches in New Brunswick, 8.14 inches in Cranbury Township, 7.72 inches in North Brunswick and 7.24 inches in South Brunswick.

In Monmouth County, flooding rains and winds damaged and or closed seventy-one roadways and bridges. Infrastructure damage alone was estimated near nine million dollars. Among the major roadways that were closed included U.S. Route 9 and New Jersey State Routes 33, 35, 36 and 79. In Middletown Township, a dam broke at the Swimming River Reservoir and flooded the southern part of the township around County Route 50. Elsewhere in the township, a bridge washed out at Hubbard Avenue over the Navesink River. In Allentown Borough, businesses located near Doctors Creek and Conines Millpond were damaged. In Matawan Borough, a huge thirty-five foot sinkhole forced the suspension of service along the New Jersey Transit North Jersey Coast Line. The Manasquan River at Squankum had major and record breaking flooding. It was above its 7.5 foot flood stage from 1146 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 733 a.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 13.06 feet at 1030 a.m. EDT on the 28th. Event rainfall totals included 8.75 inches in Freewood Acres, 8.57 inches in Howell Township, 8.07 inches in Red Bank, 6.72 inches in Eatontown and 6.13 inches in Lake Como.

In Princeton, a 39-year-old emergency responder died from injuries sustained while investigating a submerged vehicle in flood waters. No one was in the vehicle. In Lawrence Township, a 50-year-old man became trapped in a sewer pipe at Shemin Nurseries and drowned. Flooding along the Delaware River and Assunpink Creek affected Trenton and northeast rail service. The Island and Glen Afton sections of Trenton was affected by flooding from the Delaware River. The Island section was under mandatory evacuation. About 70 homes were damaged and 50 were declared uninhabitable. Flooding along the Assunpink Creek inundated the Trenton Rail station and canceled Amtrak Rail Service between Philadelphia and Boston from the 27th through the 31st.

The flooding rains and winds damaged and or closed eighty-five roadways in Mercer County. Among the major roadways that were closed included U.S. Routes 1 and 206, New Jersey State Route 29 and Quaker Road (along the Stony Brook). New Jersey State Route 29 in Hopewell Township was expected to be closed for weeks. Hightstown Borough was flooded by Peddie Lake.

The Delaware River at Washington’s Crossing had minor flooding and was above its 16 foot flood stage from 945 a.m. EDT through 205 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 16.06 feet at 1100 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the Delaware River at Trenton also had minor flooding and was above its 20 foot flood stage from 537 a.m. EDT on the 29th through 130 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 20.49 feet at 330 p.m. EDT on the 29th.

The Assunpink Creek at Trenton had major and record breaking flooding as it crested at 15.12 feet at 700 pm. EDT on the 28th. The creek was above its 8.5 foot flood stage from 1110 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 515 a.m. EDT on the 30th. The Stony Brook at Princeton had a record breaking crest of 16.22 feet at 7 a.m. EDT on the 28th. The brook was above its 10 foot flood stage from 1230 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 408 p.m. EDT on the 28th.

Event rainfall totals included 8.54 inches in Lawrenceville, 7.77 inches in Pennington, 7.53 inches in Hamilton Township, 7.33 inches in Lawrence Township, 7.13 inches in Robbinsville and 5.74 inches at the Trenton Airport.

In Hunterdon County, flooding rains and strong winds forced the closure of dozens of roads and bridges in the county and included New Jersey State Routes 12 and 31 and U.S. Route 202. Three dams were also compromised. Flood related evacuations occurred in Califon, Flemington, Franklin, High Bridge, Lambertville, Lebanon, Raritan and Readington.

The Delaware River at Frenchtown had minor flooding and was above its 16 foot flood stage from 249 a.m. EDT on the 29th through 1203 a.m EDT on the 30th. It crested at 16.68 feet at 815 a.m. EDT on the 29th. Farther downstream, the Delaware River at Stockton had minor flooding and was above its 18 foot flood stage from 417 a.m. EDT on the 29th through 1218 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 18.68 feet at 930 a.m. EDT on the 29th. Farther downstream, the Delaware River crested below its 13 foot flood stage at New Hope-Lambertville. The bridge nevertheless was closed because of a large tree stuck at the Delaware River crossing.

The South Branch of the Raritan River at High Bridge had moderate flooding and was above its 10 foot flood stage from 437 a.m. EDT through 952 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 12.92 feet at 1245 p.m. EDT. Farther downstream, The South Branch of the Raritan River at Stanton had major flooding, its third highest crest on record and its highest crest since Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999. It was above its 8 foot flood stage from 234 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 358 a.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 13.61 feet at 515 a.m. EDT on the 28th.

Event rainfall totals included 8.19 inches in Lebanon, 8.17 inches in Quakertown, 8.00 inches in Holland Township, 7.83 inches in Franklin Township, and 7.53 inches in Readington.

In Somerset County, about 3,400 homes and 250 businesses suffered flood damage. Seven hundred homes were damaged in Bound Brook and six hundred were damaged in Manville. Mandatory evacuations occurred in Manville, Bound Brook, South Bound Brook and Somerville. In Manville, the Lost Valley section was hit hard by flooding as 250 people were evacuated and continuous water rescues were performed. One in three homes in the borough was damaged. Forty of the homes foundations either collapsed or were damaged. In Bound Brook, most of the evacuations occurred along Main Street. Twenty of the county’s municipalities suffered major flooding and every township had at least one roadway closed. Among the major roadways that were closed included Interstate 78, U.S. Routes 202 and 206 and New Jersey State Route 22. It was feared that toxic chemicals were released into the Raritan River. Along the Millstone River, the Zarephath Christian Church property in Franklin Township suffered major property damage. Flooding reached the second floor of some buildings. Along the Raritan River in Franklin Township, the historical Van Wickle House was also badly damaged. In Bridgewater Township, the TD Bank Ballpark was under water. Major flooding was also reported along the North Branch of the Raritan River.

The North Branch of the Raritan River had it worst flooding since Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999. For many sites, it was either the second or third highest crest on record. The North Branch of the Raritan River at Far Hills had minor flooding, its third highest crest on record. It was above its 6 foot flood stage from 345 a.m. EDT through 1020 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 6.84 feet at 715 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the North Branch of the Raritan River at North Branch had its second highest crest on record. It was above its 12.3 foot flood stage from 215 a.m. EDT through 827 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 20.54 feet at 1030 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the North Branch of the Raritan River near Raritan had major flooding and its second highest crest. It was above its 10 foot flood stage from 400 a.m. EDT through 1100 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 17.97 feet at 1130 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the North Branch of the Raritan River at the village of South Branch had its third highest crest on record. It was above its 7 foot flood stage from 1237 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 1149 a.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 16.59 feet at 145 p.m. EDT on the 28th.

The main stem of the Raritan River had major flooding and its second highest crest on record only surpassed by the flooding during Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999. The Raritan River at Manville was above its 14 foot flood stage from 443 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 905 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 26.29 feet at 400 p.m. EDT on the 28th. Farther downstream, the Raritan River at Bound Brook was above its 28 foot flood stage from 310 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 336 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 41.90 feet at 6 p.m. EDT on the 28th.

The Millstone River had major flooding and its highest crest on record at Griggstown and Blackwells Mills. The Millstone River at Griggstown was above its 10 foot flood stage from 1154 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 740 a.m. EDT on the 31st. It crested at 24.21 feet at 200 p.m. EDT on the 28th. Farther downstream, the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills was above its 9 foot flood stage from 338 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 803 p.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 21.24 feet at 630 p.m. EDT on the 28th. Farther downstream, the Millstone River at Weston was above its 12.4 foot flood stage from 504 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 225 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 22.91 feet at 715 p.m. EDT on the 28th. | |The Pike Run at Belle Mead was above its 7 flood stage from 1112 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 120 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 9.73 feet at 1230 a.m. EDT pm the 28th. The Pike Run at Belle Mead was again above its 7 foot flood stage from 1122 a.m. EDT through 1247 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 8.13 feet at 1130 a.m. EDT. The Green Brook at Seeley Mills had its third highest crest on record. The brook was above its 5.5 foot flood stage multiple times between 144 a.m. EDT and 945 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 6.46 feet at 845 a.m. EDT. The Stony Brook at Watchung had its fourth highest crest on record. The brook was above its 14.5 foot flood between 1230 a.m. EDT and 848 a.m. EDT on the 28th. It crested at 16.38 feet at145 a.m. EDT.

Event rainfall totals included 8.19 inches in Bedminster Township, 7.65 inches in Hillsborough Township, 7.56 inches in Somerville, 7.56 inches in Franklin Township and 7.55 inches in Bridgewater Township.

Both the Musconetcong and Paulinskill Rivers flooded. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was closed through Labor Day Weekend (September 5th). The Delaware River at Tocks Island had moderate flooding and was above its 21 foot flood stage from 1018 p.m. EDT on the 28th through 742 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 23.21 feet at 1245 p.m. EDT on the 29th. Farther downstream, the Delaware River at Phillipsburg had minor flooding and was above its 22 foot flood stage from 843 p.m. EDT on the 28th through 1210 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 25.15 feet at 5 a.m. EDT on the 29th. Farther downstream, the Delaware River at Reigelsville also had minor flooding and was above its 22 foot flood stage from 922 p.m. EDT on the 28th through 219 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 24.56 feet at 630 a.m. EDT on the 29th.

Event rainfall totals included 7.15 inches in Mansfield Township, 6.82 inches in White Township, 6.65 inches in Greenwich Township, 6.56 inches in Blairstown Township and 6.56 inches in Franklin Township.

Flooding affected Branchville, Frankford, Hampton, Hardyston, Newton, Ogdensburg and Vernon the hardest in Sussex County. Flooding forced the closure of numerous roadways in the county including U.S. Route 206 as well as state and county routes 94, 15, 23, 517 and 628. Branchville was literally cut off after flooding occurred along the Dry Brook. About 100 people were evacuated within the Borough. Half a dozen bridges were either damaged or totally washed out. In Vernon Township, eight families were cut off after another bridge washed out. Four bridges were also washed out in Frankford Township.

The Flat Brook at Flatbrookville had major flooding and its second highest crest since Hurricane Diane in 1955. The brook was above its 6 foot flood stage from 810 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 404 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It crested at 10.59 feet at 1215 a.m. EDT on the 29th.

Event rainfall totals included 7.93 inches in Wantage Township, 7.87 inches in Hardyston Township, 7.33 inches in Woodbourne, 7.17 inches in Andover Township, 6.69 inches in Vernon Twp and 6.53 inches in Montague Township.

Morris County was greatly effected by flooding from Irene, especially along the Passaic and Pompton Rivers. |In Dover Township, a construction worker fell off a bridge, was washed away and drowned in the Rockaway River. About 4,000 homes in the county were affected by flood waters in Pequannock, Lincoln Park, Dover, Parsippany and Denville. The flooding along the Rockaway River forced the collapse of the northbound Interstate 287 roadway shoulder in Boonton. All northbound lanes remained closed until August 30th. In Hanover Township, a 177-yearold historic First Presbyterian Church of Whippany suffered approximately about $350,000 in damages, one of the hardest hit structures in the county.

Full scale evacuations occurred in Pequannock Township and Lincoln Park Borough. In Pequannock, over 800 homes were damaged by flood waters, many had four to six feet of water on their first floor. In Denville, 500 homes were flooded and damaged. Other homes were damaged in Dover and Pine Brook. In Parsippany, the National Guard was needed to rescue people from two flooded hotels. Other major roadways that were closed due to flooding included New Jersey State Routes 10, 23, 46 and 53.

The Pompton River had major flooding and record breaking crests throughout its entire length, surpassing the flooding that occurred during April of 1984. The Pompton River at Pompton Plains crested at a record breaking 25.24 feet at 115 a.m. EDT on the 29th. It was above its 16 foot flood stage from 115 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 245 a.m. EDT on the 31st. Farther downstream, the Pompton River at Ryerson Road crested at a record breaking 20.47 feet at 1140 p.m. EDT on the 28th. It was above its 12 foot flood stage from 713 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 602 a.m. EDT on September 3rd. Farther downstream, the Pompton River at Midwood crested at a record breaking 17.31 feet at 630 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It was above its 7.5 foot flood stage from 634 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 845 p.m. EDT on September 5th. Farther downstream, the Pompton River at the Mountainview Bridge crested at a record breaking 16.08 feet at 420 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It was above its 8 foot flood stage from 908 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 739 a.m. EDT on September 4th.

|The Rockaway River above the Boonton Reservoir had major flooding and a record breaking crest of 9.31 feet at 7 p.m. EDT on the 28th. The previous record was set in April of 1984. The river was above its 5 foot flood stage from 531 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 1137 a.m. EDT on the 30th. The Rockaway River below the Boonton Reservoir also had major flooding and also a record breaking crest of 9.73 feet at 1045 p.m. EDT on the 28th. The previous record was set in January of 1979. The river was above its 5 foot flood stage from 628 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 816 p.m. EDT on the 31st.

|The Passaic River at Millington and Pine Brook had major flooding and record breaking crests. The Passaic River at Chatham had moderate flooding. The Passaic River at Millington record breaking crest of 10.26 feet occurred at 1 p.m. EDT on the 29th. It was above its 8 foot flood stage from 708 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 407 a.m. EDT on September 1st. The Passaic River at Chatham was above its 6 foot flood stage from 232 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 930 a.m. EDT on September 3rd. It crested at 7.76 feet at 1245 p.m. EDT on the 29th. The Passaic River at Pine Brook record breaking crest of 24.12 feet occurred at 730 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It was above its 19 foot flood stage from 730 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 1115 p.m. EDT on September 5th, just before the rains from Tropical Storm Lee arrived. The Passaic River was the last river and Pine Brook was the last location on the river to go below flood stage. Just downstream of Morris County along the Passaic and Union County line, the Passaic River at Two Bridges also had major flooding and a record breaking crest of 17.17 feet at 515 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It was above its 9 foot flood stage from 7 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 815 a.m. EDT on September 5th.

The Whippany Creek at Morristown had major flooding and a record breaking crest of 9.58 feet at 930 a.m. EDT on the 28th. The creek was above its 6 foot flood stage from 105 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 1233 a.m. EDT on the 29th. The Pequannock River at the Macopin Dam had moderate flooding and was above its 5.5 foot flood stage from 259 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 237 p.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 7.42 feet at 245 p.m. EDT on the 28th. The East Ditch at Beaver Brook Road had major flooding and set an all-time record high crest. It was above its 2.5 foot flood stage from 902 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 521 a.m. EDT on the 31st. It crested at 5.50 feet at 850 a.m. EDT on the 28th.

Event rainfall totals included 10.52 inches in Jefferson Township, 9.33 inches in Chatham, 9.30 inches in Morris Township, 9.02 inches in Randolph Township and 8.94 inches in Roxbury Township.